Concrete template and method of use

ABSTRACT

A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a poured concrete mixture is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to define exposed and covered regions; (b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design; (c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and (d) finishing the surface. The template may be variously configured and may incorporate positive and negative portions, which may be alternatively utilized to transfer the design to respective positive and negative regions of the surface. The template may preferably be fabricated from visquene, craft paper, or other suitable material. In addition, implementations of the present invention may be utilized with surface seeded exposed aggregate, troweling, or other surface finishing processes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to concrete products, and moreparticularly, to a method of transferring a design to an uncuredconcrete surface of a concrete mixture utilizing a releasable template.

As is well known in the building and construction trade, concrete isextensively utilized as a building material for industrial, commercialand residential applications. Due to its durability, water resistance,and cost economy, concrete has gained wide spread use in flooringapplications. With this wide spread use, the public is currentlydemanding variations in color, surface texture and overall appearance ofconcrete so that the concrete possesses improved aesthetics similar tomore conventional and costly flooring surfaces such as marble, stone andgranite.

In order to meet this demand, the concrete trade has developed variouscoloring and surface finishing techniques to enhance the aesthetics ofconcrete. Examples of such finishing techniques include salt finish,multiple broom finish, form press finish (e.g. stamped concrete), andexposed aggregate finish.

With particular regard to exposed aggregate finishes, one of twodifferent production methods or techniques are typically utilized toform the same. The first is the “integrally exposed aggregate” method,which is the more conventional of the two techniques. The integrallyexposed aggregate method entails washing or removing surface cement andfines from the concrete while the concrete surface is still plastic(i.e., prior to full curing) such that the aggregate (which is normallyrock or gravel) is left exposed on the surface of the concrete. Due tothe fact that the concrete aggregate is relatively large in size (i.e.,approximately one-half inch to one inch in mean diameter), as well asthe fact that the washing process is not uniform in nature, theresultant concrete surface produced via the integrally exposed aggregatemethod is often extremely rough and jagged. This characteristic limitswide spread use of the integrally exposed aggregate method in flooringapplications. Further, the rough and jagged appearance also fails tocreate the aesthetic appearance of stone or marble that is desired.

The second method is the “surface seeded exposed” method, which hasrecently been introduced into the trade. In this particular method,subsequent to pouring the concrete, rock or gravel aggregate isscattered (i.e. broadcasted or seeded) over the top surface of theconcrete and subsequently troweled into the same. As the concrete cures,the aggregate becomes adhered to the top surface of the concrete and isthus exposed. Although various sizes of aggregate can be broadcast overthe top surface of the concrete in this method, such aggregate isnormally of about three-eighths inch diameter or greater in size, andhas sheared or jagged edges. The size and shape of the aggregate allowsit to be worked into the top surface of the concrete and adequatelyadhered thereto. However, although the resultant concrete surfaceproduced through the surface seeded exposed aggregate method is flatterthan the surface produced through the integrally exposed aggregatemethod, neither surface is free of irregularities, and both surfacesstill posses an extremely rough surface finishes which limit their widespread use in flooring applications. In particular, neither methodproduces a surface finish comparable to that of marble, stone, orgranite.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art,methods have been developed to enhance the surface finish of concrete byreducing the size of the aggregate exposed on the surface of theconcrete. However, as the aggregate decreases in size, other challengesdevelop due to the alkali-silica reaction (ASR). ASR is a chemicalprocess through which alkalis from cement and silica from aggregate,combine to form a gel that expands in the presence of moisture andcauses cracking in concrete and disrupts the adhesion of aggregate tothe top surface of the concrete.

In response the challenges that ASR presents, other methods have beendeveloped to obtain sufficient surface flatness while substantiallyeliminating the effects of ASR. In particular, several of these methodsare described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,748,788, 6,016,635, and6,033,146, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.Applicant's techniques as described in the above-mentioned patentsovercame many of the deficiencies of the prior art and produced improvedsurface finishes on surface seeded exposed aggregate concrete. Inparticular, the concrete resultant from practice of the above-mentionedpatents exhibits an extremely flat exposed aggregate surface suitablefor extremely high traffic flooring applications. However, the surfaceseeded exposed aggregate method has only hitherto been refined toproduce surfaces that assimilate stone, marble, or granite. No processhas been developed that makes it possible to combine multiple variationsof aggregate, designs, or textural effects onto a single cement surface.Typically, such modifications have been limited to the use of concretestamps or concrete saws.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a surface seeded exposedaggregate method and product that facilitates the creation of surfaceswhich incorporate various design patterns and multiple textural effects.Further, there is a need in the art for a method of producing designs onconcrete that is simple and effective. Indeed, there is a need in theart for a surface seeded exposed aggregate method that allowsflexibility in creating multiple unique and separate designs in a singleconcrete surface, shielding certain areas while allowing other areas tobe finished.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a methodof transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a pouredconcrete mixture is provided. The method comprises: (a) placing areleasable template onto the surface to define exposed and coveredregions; (b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to thedesign; (c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and (d)finishing the surface. The releasable template may be fabricated fromvisquene, craft paper, or other materials known in the art. In addition,the releasable template may be precut corresponding to the exposed andcovered regions.

After placing the template onto the surface, the method may include thestep of troweling the template into the surface to secure the templatethereto. Additionally, the exposed regions may be manipulated bybroadcasting aggregate onto the surface at the exposed regions thereofand finishing the surface seeding of the aggregate corresponding to theexposed regions. Prior to broadcasting the aggregate, the surface may befinished to dispose a quantity of cement/fines paste derived from theconcrete mixture at the surface thereof. Further, subsequent tobroadcasting the aggregate, the aggregate may be mixed into thecement/fines paste. The step of manipulating the exposed regions mayalso include manipulating the shape of the concrete surface of theexposed regions. In this regard, a troweling device may be utilized tomanipulate the shape of the concrete surface. Finally, in accordancewith another aspect of the present invention, the surface may befinished by applying a surface retarder to the surface and massaging thesurface retarder into the surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a surface seededexposed particulate concrete product formed by the methods hereindisclosed is also provided. The concrete product may be variouslyconfigured and prepared, as is apparent to one of skill in the art giventhe disclosure provided herein.

In accordance with another implementation of the present invention, amethod of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of aconcrete mixture utilizing a releasable template, the template includingpositive and negative portions is provided. The method comprises: (a)transferring the design corresponding to the positive portion throughthe steps of: (i) placing the positive portion onto the surface, thepositive portion defining positive regions on the surface; (ii)manipulating the positive regions thereof; and (iii) removing thepositive portion from the surface; and (b) finishing the surface. Thereleasable template may be fabricated from visquene, craft paper, orother materials known in the art.

After placing the template onto the surface, the method may include thestep of troweling the template into the surface to secure the templatethereto. After transferring the design corresponding to the positiveportion of the template, the method may also include transferring thedesign corresponding to the negative portion through the steps of: (a)placing the negative portion onto the surface, the negative portiondefining negative regions on the surface; (b) manipulating the negativeregions thereof; and (c) removing the negative portion.

The releasable template may be precut corresponding to the positive andnegative regions. Further, the manipulating step of the method mayinclude (a) finishing the surface to dispose a quantity of cement/finespaste derived from the concrete mixture at the surface thereof; (b)broadcasting aggregate onto the surface corresponding to at least one ofthe positive and negative regions thereof, and (c) mixing the aggregateinto the cement/fines paste. Indeed, at least one of the manipulatingsteps may include manipulating of the concrete surface utilizing atroweling device and corresponding to at least one of the positive andnegative regions. Finally, in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention, the surface may be finished by applying a surfaceretarder to the surface and massaging the surface retarder into thesurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method illustrating various steps whichmay be performed in transferring a design to an uncured concrete surfaceof a concrete mixture utilizing a releasable template in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the template being placed upon thesurface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the surface in which a region thereofhas been manipulated in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the template being removed from thesurface after a region thereof has been manipulated in accordance withan aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a negative portion of the templatebeing placed upon the surface in preparation for manipulation of anegative region of the surface in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the surface being troweled toincorporate the design in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the template including positive andnegative portions placed upon the surface in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the positive portion placed upon thesurface to define a positive region which has been manipulated inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the negative portion placed upon thesurface to define a negative region which has been manipulated inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the surface wherein the positive andnegative regions are exposed for collective manipulation thereof inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only, and notfor purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a block diagramillustrating a method of transferring a design 26 to an uncured surfaceof a poured concrete mixture 10. An implementation of the presentinvention may be performed after properly preparing a subgrade 12, whichmay be prepared in a variety of ways, utilizing a variety of tools,materials, and methods. As described in further detail below,implementations of the present invention provide for the combination ofmultiple designs or effects onto a single cement surface. In accordancewith one implementation, a surface seeded exposed aggregate method isprovided that facilitates the creation of surfaces which incorporatevarious design patterns, colors, and multiple textural effects. Othermodifications and combinations are also provided and may be apparent toone of skill in the art.

One such conventional mode of preparation involves preparing thesubgrade 12 to a desired elevation and blade and to compact the subgrade12 preferably to ninety percent (90%) compaction. Subsequent to thispreparation, the subgrade 12 is covered with a layer of clean, moistfill sand 14 which is preferably maintained at a minimum four (4) inchlayer thickness. Although the fill sand 14 is not absolutely necessary,it is highly desirable to control the hydration process of the concrete.In order to increase the resultant strength of the concrete and toreduce subsequent cracking of the same, reinforcement members 16 such asa wire mesh or rebar may be positioned upon the layer of fill sand 14.The layer which includes the fill sand 14 and the reinforcement members16 is often collectively referred to as the subgrade 12.

The concrete mixture 10 may be poured over the subgrade 12 such that thereinforcement members 16 are encapsulated within the concrete mixture10. The concrete mixture 10 may be poured to approximately a three andone half (3½) inch to four (4) inch thickness. Although variations inthe concrete mixture 10 are contemplated, a preferred concrete mixture10 comprises seventy percent (70%) sand and thirty percent (30%) ⅜ inchmean diameter aggregate combined with six sack cement (2,000 pounds persquare inch) or seven sack cement (2,000 pounds per square inch).Dependent on individual tastes, various color mixtures can be added tothe concrete mixture 10.

After the concrete mixture 10 has been poured, the concrete mixture 10is preferably screeded to a desired level plan or grade. The screedingof the concrete mixture 10 results in the same defining a generallylevel or planar upper surface. The concrete mixture 10 is preferably nottamped as is conventional in the art. In preferred implementations,tamping should be avoided so as not to bring up too much cement/fines inthe concrete mixture 10 which would be prohibited for subsequent surfaceseeding of the exposed aggregate 24 thereupon. Rather, subsequent toscreeding, the surface of the concrete mixture 10 is surfaced orfinished to dispose a quantity of the cement/fines paste derived fromthe concrete mixture 10 to the surface thereof. This finishing ispreferably done utilizing a bull float. The bull float is typicallycharacterized by possessing an extremely smooth or polished surfacewhich, in addition to bringing up the appropriate amount of cement/finespaste for the subsequent manipulative step, also tends to seal thesurface of the concrete mixture 10. It is contemplated that this initialfinishing step may be also completed through the use of a vibrating bullfloat, such as a vibrating magnesium bull float or a vibrating aluminumbull float. The preferred bull float is sold under the trademark HAL200by the Lievers Holland Co.

As shown in FIG. 2A, according to an aspect of the present invention, areleasable template 18 may be placed onto the surface of the pouredconcrete mixture 10. The template 18 may be fabricated from visquene,craft paper, or other suitable materials. The template 18 definesexposed and covered regions 22, and when placed on the surface, protectsthe surface in the covered regions 22 from alteration and leaves theexposed regions 20 open to facilitate manipulation or finishingprocesses to be performed therein. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the template18 may be configured in accordance with a decorative design 26, aspreferred by a user. In this regard, the shape and configuration of theexposed and covered regions 20, 22 is theoretically limitless, butshould take into account any of the finishing processes that are to beperformed in the respective exposed and covered regions 20, 22, and anylimitations imposed thereby. Such planning and development may bevariously performed by one of skill in the art.

Additionally, after placing the template 18 onto the surface, it iscontemplated that the template 18 may be troweled into the surface inorder to better secure the template 18 to the surface during subsequentsteps. In this regard, although troweling is a preferred manner ofsecuring the template 18 to the surface due to the facility of suchprocedure, other methods and procedures may be implemented in order toensure that the template 18 retains its position and shape duringsubsequent steps. Such alterations and manipulations of embodiments ofthe present invention may be performed by one having skill in the art.

After placing the template 18 onto the surface, as illustrated in FIG.2B, the exposed regions 20 corresponding to the design 26 may bemanipulated according to a given finishing process or operation.Although numerous finishing processes may be performed on the exposedregions 20, preferred embodiments of the present invention may utilizesurface seeded exposed aggregate 24. Thus, aggregate 24 may be broadcastonto the surface at the exposed regions 20 and those exposed regions 20may be finished according to various finishing steps in relation tosurface seeding of the aggregate 24. For example, when the exposedregions 20 are still plastic, small size aggregate 24 may be broadcastover the exposed regions 20. The aggregate 24 may include silica sands,coarse sands, brass beads, organic materials, metals, fine sand,composite materials, or combinations thereof. In broadcasting theaggregate 24 onto the surface, it is contemplated that various patternsor visual effects may be created thereby, especially given theflexibility of utilizing several types of aggregate 24. It iscontemplated that certain tools may be utilized to perform thebroadcasting steps, such as pneumatic equipment or otherspraying/spreading equipment.

After the aggregate 24 is broadcast upon the exposed regions 20, theaggregate 24 is preferably mixed or worked into the exposed regions 20of the surface, and more particularly, is preferably mixed into thecement/fine paste of the surface. In implementations of the presentinvention, this step may be utilized to further enhance the physicalplacement of the aggregate 24 on the surface. It is contemplated thatthis step may be variously performed in order to create various effectssuch as simulating natural stone or other materials. This may beaccomplished utilizing a power trowel. However, it is contemplated thatthe mixing may be accomplished utilizing other devices known in the art.This mixing of the aggregate 24 with the cement/fine paste at thesurface is also critical to the process of the present invention becauseit ensures that the aggregate 24 is fully embedded into the cement/finepaste and thus thoroughly adhered or bonded to the surface of theconcrete mixture 10 upon resultant curing.

After manipulating the exposed regions 20 corresponding to the design26, the template 18 may be removed to reveal the covered regions 22, asillustrated in FIG. 2C. At this point, the covered regions 22 may thenlikewise be manipulated according to design 26 requirements, as shown inFIG. 2D. This manipulation may alter the exposed regions 20 togetherwith the covered regions 22, or alternatively, may alter only thecovered regions 22.

In addition, it is contemplated that the exposed regions 20 and/or thecovered regions 22 may also be manipulated utilizing a troweling deviceas shown in FIG. 2E. The troweling device may be a trowel, a stamp, orother suitable tool. Thus, utilizing the troweling device, variousdesigns 26 or patterns may be transferred to the exposed regions 20 ofthe surface utilizing the skill, taste, and design 26 as required by theuser. Preferably, such manipulation of the surface utilizing thetroweling device is performed when the concrete has partially set, butprior to full curing.

After the design 26 has been transferred to the exposed regions 20 (andperhaps the covered regions 22) of the surface, the entire surface(including the exposed regions 20 and the covered regions 22) may thenbe finished with a power trowel to properly level and finish thesurface. Subsequent finishing steps, as detailed below, may then beperformed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, as illustratedin FIGS. 3A-3D, it is contemplated that the releasable template 18 maybe divided into positive and negative portions 28, 30, whichrespectively define positive and negative regions 32, 34 when placedonto the surface. Referring to FIG. 3B, the positive portion 28 may beplaced onto the surface to protect the covered regions 22 of the surfaceand to leave exposed the positive regions 32 of the surface forfacilitating the transfer of the design 26 to the positive regions 32,in a manner as discussed above. After finishing the positive regions 32,the positive portion 28 may be removed from the surface. In addition,after removing the positive portion 28 from the surface, the negativeportion 30 may then be placed onto the surface, as shown in FIG. 3C,thereby exposing negative regions 34 of the surface. Thereafter, thenegative regions 34 of the surface may be finished according to at leastone of a variety of finishing processes described above, such as withsurface seeded exposed aggregate 24, or otherwise known in the art.Subsequent to completion of the negative regions 34 and transferal ofthe design 26 thereto, the negative portion 30 of the template 18 may beremoved from the surface, as shown in FIG. 3D. At this point, both thepositive and the negative regions 32, 34 of the surface may be finishedutilizing the finishing steps described below.

Referring again to FIG. 1, after transferring the design 26 to thesurface, a chemical surface retarder may be sprayed upon the surface touniformly cover the same. The chemical retarder slows down the hydrationprocess of the concrete mixture 10. The application of the surfaceretarder to the surface may be followed by the step of finishing thesurface of the concrete mixture 10 with the power trowel, for example,to massage the surface retarder into the cement/fines paste having theaggregate 24 mixed therein. This finishing step preferably results inthe penetration of the surface retarder into the cement/fines paste at adistance below the maximum depth of the aggregate 24, which may be atleast approximately ⅜ inch in some instances. Advantageously, thisparticular finishing step may eliminate hard spots in the resultantconcrete by facilitating a full mix of the retarder and the cement/finespaste. The power trowel, preferably used in relation to both this andthe previously mentioned step, finishes the surface of the concretemixture 10 in a generally circular motion. Although various conventionalsurface retarders may be utilized, one superior surface retarder isdesignated as SPEC AE manufactured by E.L. Moore Co. of Costa Mesa,Calif.

As shown in FIG. 1, subsequent to the surface retarder being massagedinto the cement/fine paste, a vapor barrier may be preferably formed onthe surface of the concrete mixture 10. In the preferred embodiment, theformation of the vapor barrier is facilitated by the application of aliquid chemical evaporation reducer to the exposed surface of theconcrete mixture 10. A preferred evaporation reducer is sold under thetrademark CONFILM by the Concrete Tide Co. of Compton, Calif. Analternative vapor barrier may be formed by covering the surface withfour (4) or six (6) millimeters of visquene. The vapor barrier ismaintained upon the surface of the concrete mixture 10 for a prescribedperiod of time which may range from approximately two (2) to twenty-four(24) hours.

After the vapor barrier has remained upon the surface for a prescribedperiod of time, the surface of the concrete mixture 10 may be washedwith water to remove any surface films therefrom. In this washingprocedure, it may be preferable to lightly brush the surface with abristle brush. This may be done in order to enhance or alter the design26. The washing step, as described herein, may be done without excessivedislodgement and loss of the aggregate 24 due to the full mixture of theretarder and cement/fine paste performed during the power troweling ofthe surface. Additionally, the application of the liquid evaporationreducer to the surface may also reduce the rate of the evaporation ofmoisture from the surface and increase the ease at which the excesscement/fine paste and residual surface retarder are washed from thesurface.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, subsequent to washing, the concrete mixture 10may be cured utilizing water alone, as opposed to chemical curing agentsin order to avoid staining of the surface. Such water curing maytypically be facilitated through the use of a conventional fogger orsoaker hose. After a prescribed period of time (e.g., 30 days afterinitiating the curing process) any surface residue present on thesurface is removed by conventional power washing with a ninety percent(90%) steam and ten percent (10%) muriatic acid mixture which is appliedby a power washer via a high pressure nozzle.

The resultant surface exhibits an appearance of various textures andpatterns according to the complexity of the design 26. Further, as anextremely flat surface, even when surface seeded exposed aggregate 24 isutilized, it is also suitable for high pedestrian traffic. As describedabove, various modifications in the color, size, texture, and othercharacteristics of the aggregate 24 may be modified in order to producenumerous designs 26.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope of the invention disclosed herein,including various ways of creating different textures, colors, patterns,types of stone, etc. Further, the various features of the embodimentsdisclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with eachother and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinationdescribed herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited bythe illustrated embodiments.

1. A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of apoured concrete mixture, the method comprising: a) placing a releasabletemplate onto the surface to temporarily define exposed and coveredregions; b) manipulating the exposed regions of the surfacecorresponding to the design; c) removing the template to reveal thecovered regions; and d) finishing the surface without the templatedisposed therein.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the releasabletemplate is fabricated from visquene.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinthe releasable template is fabricated from craft paper.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the releasable template is precut corresponding to theexposed and covered regions.
 5. The method of claim 1 further includingthe step of troweling the template into the surface to secure thetemplate thereto.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes: a)broadcasting aggregate onto the surface at the exposed regions thereof;and b) finishing the surface seeding of the aggregate corresponding tothe exposed regions.
 7. The method of claim 6 further including: a)prior to broadcasting the aggregate, finishing the surface to dispose aquantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at thesurface thereof; and b) subsequent to broadcasting the aggregate, mixingthe aggregate into the cement/fines paste.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein step (b) includes manipulating the shape of the concrete surfaceof the exposed regions.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein a trowelingdevice is utilized to manipulate the shape of the concrete surface. 10.The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further includes: a) applying asurface retarder to the surface; and b) massaging the surface retarderinto the surface.
 11. A surface seeded exposed particulate concreteproduct having a surface and a design formed in the surface by a methodcomprising the steps of: a) placing a releasable template onto thesurface to temporarily define exposed and covered regions; b)manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design; c)removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and d) finishingthe surface without the template disposed therein.
 12. A method oftransferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a concretemixture utilizing a releasable template, the template including positiveand negative portions, the method comprising: a) transferring the designcorresponding to the positive portion through the steps of: i)temporarily placing the positive portion onto the surface, the positiveportion defining positive regions on the surface; ii) manipulating thepositive regions of the surface; and iii) removing the positive portionfrom the surface; and b) finishing the surface without the templatedisposed therein.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the releasabletemplate is fabricated from visquene.
 14. The method of claim 12 whereinthe releasable template is fabricated from craft paper.
 15. The methodof claim 12 further including the step of troweling the template intothe surface to secure the template thereto.
 16. The method of claim 12further including the step of transferring the design corresponding tothe negative portion through the steps of: a) placing the negativeportion onto the surface, the negative portion defining negative regionson the surface; b) manipulating the negative regions thereof; and c)removing the negative portion.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein thereleasable template is precut corresponding to the positive and negativeregions.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the manipulating stepsinclude: a) finishing the surface to dispose a quantity of cement/finespaste derived from the concrete mixture at the surface thereof; b)broadcasting aggregate onto the surface corresponding to at least one ofthe positive and negative regions thereof; and c) mixing the aggregateinto the cement/fines paste.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein at leastone of the manipulating steps includes manipulating of the concretesurface utilizing a troweling device and corresponding to at least oneof the positive and negative regions.
 20. The method of claim 12 whereinstep (b) further includes: a) applying a surface retarder to thesurface; and b) massaging the surface retarder into the surface.
 21. Amethod of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of apoured concrete mixture, the method comprising: a) placing a releasabletemplate onto the surface to temporarily define exposed and coveredregions; b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to thedesign; c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and d)finishing the surface without the template disposed therein, the surfacebeing finished by broadcasting aggregate onto the surface at the exposedregions wherein the aggregate is comprised of at least one of thefollowing materials: silica sands, coarse sands, brass beads, organicmaterials, metals, fine sand, composite materials.
 22. The method ofclaim 21 wherein step (d) further includes working the aggregate intothe exposed regions.
 23. The method of claim 21 further including: a)prior to broadcasting the aggregate, finishing the surface to dispose aquantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at thesurface thereof; and b) subsequent to broadcasting the aggregate, mixingthe aggregate into the cement/fines paste.
 24. The method of claim 21wherein step (b) includes manipulating the shape of the concrete surfaceof the exposed regions.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein a trowelingdevice is utilized to manipulate the shape of the concrete surface. 26.The method of claim 21 wherein step (d) further includes: a) applying asurface retarder to the surface; and b) massaging the surface retarderinto the surface.